Château La Prade 2019

Composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 La Prade was harvested from the 30th of September to the 11th of October. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare this year. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose opens with classic plum preserves, warm blackberries, licorice and cedar chest scents, unfurling to reveal provocative suggestions of chargrill, red roses, dusty soil and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has exquisitely ripe, very fine-grained tannins and loads of freshness lifting all the densely packed black fruit and perfumed layers to a long, mineral-tinged finish. Impressive! About 2,300 cases are anticipated to be made.

From the talented Nicolas Thienpont, the 2019 Château La Prade sports a deep ruby/purple color to go with a great nose of spicy dark fruits, damp earth, and violet. Wonderfully pure, medium-bodied, elegant, and seamless on the palate, it's easily the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted. It's going to drink brilliantly for 10-12 years.

An intense, aromatic red with notes of ripe plums and blackberries, spices, chocolate and tar. Polished and refined with an array of fine-grained, chewy tannins and a velvety mouth-feel. Full-bodied, compact and long. Impressive power and depth. Drink in a year or two or hold.

A deep, dark, rich nose - smells seductive with softly perfumed flowers and gorgeous ripe red fruit aromas. Lovely energy here, this is chewy and tannic no doubt, they coat the mouth but with a wonderful cooling minty, stone aspect to the fruit too. A real aerial style - cooling in the mouth, not sombre necessarily as there is good acidity but this is just lighter and fresher than many. Still needs time but this has a lovely cleanliness, you can taste the minerality and salty tang driving the fruit and spice across the palate - it feels precise and poised. Will be delicious in time. A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.